my crafty adventures

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About me

Welcome to my blog! My name is Jessica, and I'm a music professor from Kentucky. This blog details my journey into DIY style. I love to sew and knit my own clothes, and I'm a dedicated thrift store shopper! I also love fashion, so I'm attempting to marry my interests without causing myself to go bankrupt. I love bright colors, full skirts, and vintage styles. I love to answer questions, and I can be reached by email at jmills01@gmail.com.

Goodreads

Day: January 16, 2012

I had my doubts about this one. It is, after all, a big blocky sweater with no real shaping. The sleeves are dolman, which is generally iffy. But I had this sweater knit, which is complicated enough to really need a simple pattern. And I liked the idea of a tunic, especially as we have seen our coldest temps this winter in the past few days. I was kind of unenthusiastic as I sewed it, but you know what? I really like this sweater!

I have always worn fitted clothes, and the current fashion for oversized (with skinny pants) has been hard on me. It took me at least a year to find skinny jeans that I liked (this pair is from Charlotte Russe, believe it or not, and I’ve also had luck with the ones at the Limited.) But now that I have I’m embracing it! Back in the 80s I loved this look – drapey top with a chain belt worn low. I didn’t wear it then, as I was 9 years old and firmly in my nerd stage, but I was so envious of my older cousin and her awesome belts! I found this belt last week at Goodwill, and I’m trying out the style after all these years! All I need are some stone washed jeans, an ill advised perm, and an unsuitable boyfriend who is in a metal band to complete the picture. Ok… maybe I don’t need those things. But the point is, after swearing that I would cling to my bootcut pants forever I’ve finally adjusted to the look. I find that I take awhile to get used to trends, as my style is not super trendy. After awhile I figure out how to make it work for me, without making it look like I’m wearing someone else’s clothes.

As for the pattern? Well, it was super easy to sew. It only had 4 pieces. I had a little trouble with being short on fabric, as I had only 2 yards when 2.25 were needed. I ended up cutting a length about an inch longer than the tunic (as I knew I wanted to wear it bloused out.) I had to seam the neck piece, so mine is a little strange. Speaking of that piece, it’s the only bit I don’t love. It’s neither a cowl nor turtleneck, but somewhere in between the two. I think I would like it better if it could decide! Even so, I really like the top. The sleeves I shortened by an inch. I think that for dolman sleeves you should leave at least the wrist exposed. Otherwise the proportions can be off, at least on me!

As you can see, it does work over leggings as well. It’s a touch short with the belt – I originally went with the look above, but then decided I wanted to wear it with jeans instead. I was teaching today, and I do like to avoid really short hemlines (but I would wear it with leggings to go out or on weekends.) I would not wear it this short without leggings, as I don’t really think it’s a dress. I really wanted it an inch longer, but oh well – you work with what you’ve got! The print does a strange sort of optical illusion thing in the back, but I assure you that it is not stretched out!

I’d also like to try it with a darker belt. I think the style works, but that belt is awfully bright. I will keep an eye out for one, now that I have something to wear it with! If you have this pattern (or find it) I totally recommend it. The style is versatile, and it looks great in all the versions I’ve seen online!